Can’t We All Just Get Along?

I woke up this morning re-newed to rid the world of all earthly atrocities. I was fired up to save the world of very real, heartbreaking problems. I was fired up to say the least. I open up my inbox ready to slay the day and the first email I see is from a disgruntled parent on my basketball team. He wasn’t happy with his kids’ playing time this past Saturday. Mind you I wasn’t there but he felt he needed to copy me on his criticisms of the other coach.

Now the other coach can be let’s say, a bit prickly, so I before I got a chance to head him off at the pass and say “you know, let’s just let this go.” Here comes his email response dripping with sarcasm and meat headness. And so it begins.

-I copied the league director.

+I don’t think your coaching style is indicative of the league goals.

-Why are you bringing this up after the season is over.

+I don’t think we’ll play next year.

-Oh yeah, well here’s mud in your eye!

+Yo mama!

Boys, boys! Can’t we all just get along in the sandbox? Do I need to remind you this is a CHRISTIAN league whose primary purpose is to share the LOVE of Jesus Christ?

#sigh

All this drama has caused me to start thinking why do we do that? Why is our first response to spit and then to try wipe the spit off our brother after we’ve been told to? What is it about ourselves that we seem to lack coping skills for everyday living? We’re all so stressed and pulled taunt that instead of just absorbing harmless statements and behaviors, we fire back at others with a greater veracity. Instead of being at peace it seems we’re all walking on eggshells or firing rotten eggs at each other. In our stress we turn to activities and behaviors that only devalue our lives rather than build up what we’ve been given. Have we ever learned to turn the other cheek?

So, I find myself trying to figure out if I should step in between these two guys and start spouting scripture like Hebrews 12:14 and Romans 12:18 and slapping them up side the head with prayer but then again…

So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.